Bobbin winding machine



y 1944- P. w. SENFLEBEN 2,348,857

BOBBIN WINDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 30, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Wz'irwss #6. mm,

y 6, 1944. P. w. SENFLEBEN 2,348,857

BOBBIN WINDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 30, 1943 4 Sheets- Sheet 2 y 1944 P. w. SENFLEBEN 2,348,857

BOBBIN WINDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 30", 1943 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 I May 16, 1944. p w SENFLEBEN 2,348,857

BOBBIN WINDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 30, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet. 4

ELECTRO MAG N ET 5 /00--' 6&4 7 /06 SUPPLY Winess I Ilia #6 zalmu m Patented May 16, 1944 BOBBIN WINDING MACHINE Paul W. Senfleben, Maiden, M ss, assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application January 30, 1943,'Serial No. 474,073

27 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in high speed machines for winding sewingmachine bobbins or other similar thread supports and primarily to that type of winding machine employing bobbins constructed with one or more side flanges and a connecting ferrule on which thread is wound, empty bobbins being presented automatically to winding apparatus in the machine and wound bobbins being released from the machine in a continuous serie of operations. In certain respects, the present application is a further development of inventors copending application Serial No. 339,903, filed July 11, 1940, disclosing a bobbin winding machine embodying certain of the features on which the present invention is based.

In prior bobbin winding machines employing flanged bobbins or other thread supports, to which empty bobbins are fed automatically, it is necessary either to clamp each empty bobbin separately to a winding spindle before a winding operation is started and to secure the leading end of thread at a position where it will readily be engaged with the empty bobbin or to clamp a series of bobbins manually to a single spindle so that the entire series may be wound successively without securing the threador stopping the operation for any other purposes, the thread being transferred from each wound bobbin to an empty bobbin until all of the bobbins are filled. Where the thread end is secured in a position to be engaged by an empty bobbin after each winding operation, suitable automatic thread gripping devices and actuating mechanisms'are required, the operation of which may be unreliable unless accuratelymaintained in a state of proper adjustment. When a series of bobbins is wound successively on a single spindle without securing the thread between windings, it is necessary to remove one series of wound bobbins manually from the machine and to sub stitute a new supply of em ty bobbins on the spindle for the wound ones. Such manual operations result in loss of time and are conducive to injury to the flanges on the empty bobbins by the operator so as to render them defective for use in a sewing machine.

The object of the present invention is to sim plify and improve generally bobbin winding machines in which emptv bobbins are presented and clamped to a winding spindl and in. which wound bobbins are released successively without requiring complicated or unreliable thread gripping devices and actuating mechanisms therefor or the necessity of performing any manual operations whatever during normal use of the machine except for starting or stopping or replenishing the supply of empty bobbins or thread.

In the machine of inventors prior application above identified, each separate bobbin winding operation is terminated by a controller engaging the thread on a bobbin being wound. In the prior machine, the increasing outside diameter of the thread on a bobbin being wound moves th controller and causes the spindle on which a series of bobbins is supported in end-to-end relation to be shifted until a new empty bobbin is brought into alignment with the controller. The number of successive winding operations in the machine of the application, however, is limited to the number of bobbins on the spindle. After all the bobbins on the spindle are wound. the machine is stopped, and the wound bobbins are all removed manually. A new supply of empty bobbins must then be substituted. Accordingly, another object of the present in vention is to provide a bobbin winding machine in which the principal advantages of the machine disclosed in theprior application are retained with the addition of means for feeding mpty bobbins automatically tothe winding devices so that any desired number of winding operations may be performed without stopping the machine. A further object is to enable the winding operations of an automatic bobbin windin machine to be limited in number to suit the requirements of the operator by making a simple manual adjustment before starting the machine. Still further objects are to provide a machine for winding bobbins automatically so long as empty bobbins are presented to the machine, in which the winding operations will be discontinued whenever the supply of empty bobbins is exhausted. I

For the accomplishment of the above objects. the machine in Which'"the present invention is embodied comprises a rotatable winding spindle arranged to support a plurality of bobbins in endto-end relation, a controller acting on the thread of each bobbin while being wound, as in the machine of the prior application above identified.

in combination with which mechanism set into operation by the thread controller is provided for removing a wound bobbin from the spindle after each winding operation but withholding.

another wound bobbin in winding position in order that an empty bobbin may be brought into end-to-end relation with the withheld bobbin, thus enabling the thread to be led directly from the wound bobbin onto the empty bobbin when a new winding operation is started without the necessity of employing any thread end gripping means or of manipulating the thread otherwise in any special manner. While the invention is disclosed in connection with a machine in which a single wound bobbin is removed and a single empty bobbin applied to the winding spindle during each complete cycle of winding operations, the fundamental features of the invention are not so limited in their practical application but are useful where more than one wound bobbin is removed or where more than a single empty bobbin is applied at a time. Conveniently, the means for bringing empty bobbins into endto-end relation with a wound bobbin in the machine comprises a source of supply for the empty bobbins and bobbin feeding devices actuated while each wound bobbin is being removed.

In its preferred form, the machine is provided with means separate from the winding spindle for causing the bobbins to be clamped to the spindle and the spindle to' be reciprocated lengthwise with relation to the controller until each emptybobbin is brought into operative alignment with the controller. In the illustrated form of this feature, the lengthwise reciprocation oi the spindle causes the clamping means to release the wound bobbin from the machine. Also, according to this feature of the invention, the action of the controller in causing the spindle to be reciprocated results not only in the release of a wound bobbing but also in clamping together at least one wound and one empty bobbin in preparation for a new winding operation.

The means for reciprocating the winding spindle in the machine described hereinafter is for convenience in the form of an electromagnet with suitable control circuits for energizing and deenerg'izing it. In a relatively simplified form of construction, the electromagnet, when energized, is soarranged that the spindle is shifted in a direction to cause the wound bobbin to be released and, when de-energized, to cause the spindle to shift in the opposite direction and an empty bobbin to be received on the spindle. By such construction, a yielding member acting against the electromagnet may be employed to shift the spindle lengthwise in the direction to cause an empty bobbin to be received on the spindle, thereby avoiding in large degree danger of injury to the flanges of the empty bobbin whenever accidental contact occurs between the end of the spindle and the empty bobbin.

These and other features of the invention including novel and improved means for stopping winding operations when the supply of empty bobbins is exhausted and for limiting the number of bobbins wound to any desired number by simple and convenient adjustments and certain other constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts will be clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in Eonnection with accompaying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation, partly broken away and in section, of the principal parts of a bobbin winding machine embodying the features of the present invention, with the parts in positions assumed after one winding operation has been completed and before a new winding operation is started;

Fig. 2 is a similar view on an enlarged scale of the thread controlling parts of the machine illustrating the positions just as a new winding operation is being started;

Fig. 8 is a view in right side elevation of the machine taken during winding operations Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view'of a bobbin supply chute, winding spindle andbobbin detector switch, looking from the right of the machine;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view of the guide for supporting the bobbins when the winding spindle is withdrawn;

Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram for the machine; and

Fig. 7 is a detail seotional'view in plan of a portion of the winding spindle, the bobbin guide and the thread controller and bobbin retaining finger of the machine.

The winding machine disclosed herein, in common with that of the application above identi-' fled, is provided with a rotating winding spindle to which a plurality of bobbins I having side flanges and central connecting ferrule portions may be clamped in end-to-end relation. The machine, after being started, is arranged to wind the bobbins on the spindle with a predetermined depth of waxed thread. At the beginning of each winding operation after the first, the thread is led from a wound bobbin on the spindle to the next empty bobbin without any special thread gripping or handling devices. Suitable controls are provided to prevent further winding operations after all of the empty bobbins on the spindle have been wound.

. Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the winding spindle of the illustrated machine is similar generally to that of the machine in inventor's prior application and is indicated at 2 supported in a bearing 4 of a main frame 8 carried at the upper end of a base column 8. The spindle 2 is mounted to be reciprocated lengthwise, as well as be rotated, and is guided at one end in a hollow drive shaft l0 rotatably mounted within bearings I2 and H in alignment with the spindle bearing 4. The drive shaft 10 is rotated through a pulley I6 secured to the drive shaft. a belt l8 surrounding the pulley l6 and that on a suitable driving motor 20 (see Figs. 3 and 6). As in the machine of the prior application, the driving connection between the shaft HI and the spindle consists of a ball 22 inside the drive shaft engaging a lengthwise groove in the spindle 2.

The winding spindle in the prior machine or inventors application is constructed and arranged to have clamped to it a series of not more than eight bobbins through which a headed mandrel is passed, the mandrel being locked to the spindle. During winding operations of the prior machine, each bobbin is successively shifted into alignment with a yieldingly actuated thread controller similar to that of the present machine, as illustrated at 24, arranged to be moved by an increasing supply of thread on a bobbin radially away from the axis of the winding spindle. Each bobbin wound is filled nearly to the outer edges of its flanges and the thread controller is then lifted from between the flanges by suitable mechanism to enable the spindle to be shifted the length of a bobbin. After the bobbins and spindle are shifted, the thread controller moves between the flanges of a new empty bobbin, the thread, indicated at 26, being carried across the flanges of the wound and empty bobbins to bring the thread between the flanges of the empty bobbin for a new winding operation. After all the bobbins on the winding spindle are filled with thread in the prior I automatically and the bobbin supporting mandrel removed manually from the winding spindle with the wound bobbins, a new series of empty bobbins thereafter being substituted. To stop the winding operations after-all of the bobbins have been filled with thread, in the machine of the pending application, a thread cutter similar to that indicated at 28 in the present drawings acts on the thread leading from the spindle to a sripper and guide in a wax not 30 and a right angle bar 32 secured to a vertically movable rod 34 engages the handle of a motor control switch 36 to break the circuit of the driving motor. The thread cutter and control switch also are actuated whenever the supply of thread is exhausted. All of the parts above briefly referred to are constructed and arranged in the same manner and operated by mechanisms similar to those illustrated and described in the previously identified application.

In addition to the mechanisms and parts of the prior machine referred to, the machine of the present invention is provided with automatic means for clamping and releasing the bobbins on the spindle, a holder for a supply of empty bobbins and mechanism set in operation by the thread controller for reciprocating the winding spindle to withdraw the spindle from the bobbins and to enable a wound bobbin to be removed from the spindle, another to be withheld in the machine, and an empty bobbin to be brought into end-to-end relation with the wound bobbin withheld in the machine after'each winding operation, so that the thread may be led directly from the withheld wound bobbin onto the empty one when a new winding operation is started without requiring the bobbins to be removed and replaced manually, as in the prior machine.

The empty bobbin supply holder comprises a reversely bent tubular chute 38 mounted on the machine frame 6 with its outlet above the axis of the winding spindle. The chute is of such size that when filled with empty bobbins, the outer edges of the bobbin flanges are supported one in contact with another.

To clamp and release the bobbins automatically on the winding spindle, there is fulcrummed near the outer end of the spindlea clamping lever 40 having a rotatable stud 42 at its upper end arranged in axial alignment with the winding spindle. When moved towards the end of the winding spindle, a conical surface on the stud 42 enters part-way within the ferrule portion of a bobbin on the spindle and presses the bobbin endwise against an adjacentbobbin .which in turn is clamped against a shoulder 44 formed on the spindle. When the bobbins are thus clamped, they are caused to rotate with the spindle and as the stud 42 is moved away from the bobbins, the spindle is withdrawn and rotation of the bobbins stopped.

The mechanism for reciprocating the winding spindle 2 and for operating the clamping lever 40 is actuated electromagnetically and comprises a crosshead 46 having a central bearing portion fitting the winding spindle between collars 41 secured tothe spindle. At its lower end the crosshead has a pivotal connection with an actuating bar 48 slidably mounted in the machine frame in parallel relation to and below the winding spindle. At its upper end, the crosshead is provided with a handle 49 and'bobbin feeding devices acting on the bobbins within the chute 38 to prevent movement of more than one bobbin at a time towards the winding spindle,

as will be more fully described hereinafter. One end of the actuating bar 48 is slotted to receive a pin 50 passing through the bifurcated lower end of the clamping'lever 40 surrounding the bar and the other end of the actuating bar forms an armature which slides within an electromagnet 52 (see Fig. 1). When the electromagnet is energized, the winding spindle is withdrawn by the crosshead from the bobbins into the position of Fig. 1 and when de-energized, a compression spring 54 coiled around the bar 48 shifts the spindle and causes an empty bobbin to be brought into alignment with the thread controller 24. At the same time, the stud 42 on the clamping lever 40 is actuated towards the end'of the winding spindle to clamp the bobbins on the spindle yieldingly by means of a spring 55 seated within a recess formed in the bar 48 and compressed between one end of the recess and the pin 50 in the clamping lever, the clamping spring 56 being weaker than the spindle reciprocating spring 54. To cause the spindle to bring an empty bobbin into accurate alignment with the controller .24, the actuating bar has a block 58 against which the spring '54 acts, arranged to engage a set screw 60 in the frame of the machine as the winding spindle reaches its outermost position.

Whenever the winding spindle 2 is withdrawn from the bobbins mounted thereon. the outermost bobbin is released from the machine and drops by gravity against a plate 6! anda suitable inclined runway 62 directs the bobbin into a container 64 in the form of a basket or similar receptacle. The plate Bi is securd to the clamping lever 40 and has a yielding shank and an extremity underlying the flanges of the outermost wound bobbin on the spindle, which extremity acts to loosen the outermost bobbin from the adjacent bobbin in case wax or other adhesive material causes the bobbins to adhere together. The runway 62 is secured to a bracket on the frame of the machine with the upper end of the runway in a position to receive a bobbin released from the winding spindle.

The winding spindle at its outermost end is of sufficiently reduced diameter to be received within the ferrule portion of a bobbin and is of suflicient length to pass entirely through one bobbin and part-way into another. so that a pairof bobbins may at all times be supported by the spindle. When the spindle is withdrawn from the bobbins after winding the second of the pair, the second wound bobbin of a pair is withheld in winding position. being supported by a guide 56 consisting of a slotted sleeve secured within a hollow portion of themachine frame and connected integrally with the chute 38. The guide not only supports the withheld wound bobbin in themachine, but also forms a guideway for a pa r of radial pins 68 projecting at diametrically opposite sides from the bearing portion of the crosshead 46. the pins being supported in lengthwise grooves 69 of the guide. 7

To prevent thewithheld bobbin from movin with the winding spindle when the spindle is withdrawn. the thread controller 24 has connected to it a bobbin retaining finger 70 (see troller is mounted on a lever 2 pivoted on a shaft 14 fixed in the machine frame wliich shaft also forms a fulcrum for the thread cutter 28, as in the machine of the prior application. The thread cutter is actuated by a relatively strong Spring coiled about the shaft 14 and is normally latched in the position of Fig. 3 out of engagement with the thread by a latch arm 16 pivoted on a pin I8 secured in the thread control supporting,,,arm of lever 12, the spring 15 causing the control lever 12 throughthe latch arm 16 to press the controller against the thread on a bobbin. The latch arm 16 is held raised in latching position during winding operations and has adjustably mounted thereon a block 88 provided with a lug forming a hinge 82 for supporting the bobbin retaining finger I0. To hold the retaining finger 10 in yielding engagement with a wound bobbin withheld on the bobbin guide 86, the finger is connected with a spring 84 stretched between pins on the finger and the block 80, respectively, a stop projection 88 being provided on the block 88 to limit movement of the finger towards the winding spindle. The connection of the finger to the thread controller thus described is such that during normal winding operations, the finger is held out of contact with a bobbin being wound, but as soon as the thread controller is lifted from between the flanges of the bobbin to enable the spindle and bobbins to be shifted, the bobbin engaging surface of the finger, which is suitably curved horizontally, presses against the thread on the wound bobbin and holds it against shifting movement with the spindle while being withdrawn, as indicated in Fig. 7.

When a bobbin being wound with thread is filled to the desired depth, suitable connections including an electrical circuit are rendered effecthereafter lifted a short distance from between the flanges of the last wound bobbin.

The bobbin feeding devices consist of a pair of oppositely directed parallel rods 98, 92 passing through apertures in the sides of the chute 38 in sufiiciently spaced relation to receive between them a single bobbin, the rods entering the chute near one edge so as not to interfere with adjacent bobbins (see Fig. 4). The rods 90, 82 are supported on the crosshead 46, the rod 88 being secured in a block 94 which in turn is fixed to a rod 96 mounted in the crosshead. The rod 92 is mounted directly in the crosshead with its end overlapping the rod 98 above it by a distance equal to the length of a bobbin. The rod 92 is of sufficient length to prevent feed of a bobbin from the chute until the winding spindle has fully been withdrawn from the bobbins being wound, the length of shifting movement imparted to the winding spindle by the. electromagnet being greater than the length of a bobbin. After withdrawing from the bobbins being wound, the spindle continues sufiiciently to provide a clear space on the bobbin guide 66 for an empty bobbin between the extreme end of the spindle and the withheld last wound bobbin. The chute is so located lengthwise of the spindle that when an empty bobbin is released, it will drop onto the guide 86 between the bobbin last wound and the end of the spindle. The rod 98, after enterin the chute, prevents movement of all but the lowermost bobbin in the chute. After withdrawing from the chute, the rod 98 permits all of the bobbins to move one position lower in the chute until the lowermost one comes to rest against the feed rod 92 ready for its turn to be fed onto the bobbin guide.

To cause the thread controller 24 to be lifted from between the flanges of a bobbin last wound, whenever the bobbin is filled to the desired depth, the actuating bar 48 is provided with a cam surface 98 acting on the thread controller lever 12. When the thread controller is lifted clear of the flanges on a wound bobbin, it is held in lifted position by the cam until a new empty bobbin is shifted into alignment with the thread controller. The thread controller is then lowered between the flanges of the empty bobbin where it remains until raised by the increasing diameter of thread on the bobbin.

As soon as a few turns of thread have been wound around the ferrule portion of a new empty bobbin, the thread leading across the flanges of the last wound bobbin and the empty bobbin being wound is severed, as in the machine of inventors copending application. The thread controller has adjustably secured to it a knife 99 so located that when the controller enters a substantial distance between the flanges of an empty bobbin on the winding spindle, its cutting edge will engage any thread stretched across the bobbin flanges. Thus, when the outermost bobbin on the winding spindle is released,

The control switch 88 is spring an extremely short length of thread only will extend from the released bobbin and there will be no likelihood of entanglement of the thread with the operating parts of the machine or with the thread on other bobbins.

To de-energize the electromagnet and to cause the spindle and empty bobbin deposited on the guide 66 by the feeding devices to be shifted into alignment with the thread controller, the bobbin guide is provided with a recess to receive a de tector switch I00 having hinged thereto a light spring-pressed platen I02 of sufiicient sensitivity to be actuated by the weight of an empty bobbin. When an empty bobbin is fed to the bobbin guide, the detector switch I00, which is spring-pressed to circuit closing position, causes the circuit of the electromagnet 52 to be opened (see dot-dash positions of Fig. 6). Thereupon, the spring 54 actuates the control rod 48 and spindle 2 to cause the spindle to enter the empty bobbin on the platen of the detector switch and the shoulder on the spindle to shift the empty bobbin off the platen and bring it into align ment with the thread controller. At this time, the thread controller 24 enters between the flanges of the empty bobbin. When the controller enters an empty bobbin, the switch 88 is opened, so that the electromagnet circuit is not immediately closed. At the same time, the last filled bobbin is also shifted with the spindle, defiecting the thread against a stationary portion of the bobbin guide, and the pair of bobbins comprising the last filled bobbinand the newly fd empty bobbin are clamped to the winding spindle. As the clamping pressure is applied to the bobbins, they immediately start rotating. The deflected thread leading at an acute angle to the spindle from the last filled bobbin is carried across the flanges of the two bobbins towards a position at right angles to the spindle and directly onto the empty bobbin as soon as rotation starts.

As has been stated, means is provided for stopping winding operations when the supply or empty bobbins is exhausted. To this end, the chute 38 is provided along its lowermost surface with a switch actuating platen I04 pivoted to a monitor switch I connected in the circuit with the electromagnet in such a way as to render the detector switch inoperative to open the electromagnet circuit whenever one bobbin only re mains in the chute. The switch I00 is of the type which is blessed to an open circuit position, but when the platen I04 is depressed, a circuit is closed, bypassing the current through the detector switch I00. By connecting the monitor switch in this way, the electromagnet is held energized and the spindle maintained in withdrawn position so that no further winding operations can be performed until the supply of empty bobbins is replenished.

In the ordinary use of the machine, a sewing machine operator having a predetermined number of bobbins to be wound inserts his empty bobbins in the chute 38. To start the winding operations, the motor control switch 30 is closed and the handle on the crosshead moved, it necessary, to feed an empty bobbin into the bobbin guide 66. Upon release of the handle on the crosshead, the winding spindle will be shifted together with the empty bobbin into winding position in the machine. As soon as the machine I is started, the bobbin in winding position will be filled with thread and the control switch 88 closed. thereby energizing the electromagnet 52 to withdraw it from the bobbins and enabling a new empty bobbin to.be fed into the bobbin guide 66. At the same time the winding spindle is withdrawn, the clamping lever 40 release the bobbin previously withheld on the spindle beyond the winding position. The withheld bobbin is thus ejected while the new empty bobbin is being fed into the guide 66. When the new empty bobbin rests on the platen I02, the circuit of the electrcmagnet 52 is opened at the switch I00 and the spindle is shifted by the spring 54into the bobbins on the guide 66, moving the empty bobbin into winding position and pressing it against the wound bobbin to bring the wound bobbin into withholding position. Rotation is imparted to the bobbins when the withheld bobbin is engaged and clamped by the stud 42, continuing the winding operation in this way from one bobbin to another in regular sequence. As soon as all the bobbins in the chute, except for the final one, are exhausted, the monitor switch I05 will prevent further winding operations. If it is desired to wind fewer than the number of bobbins inserted in the chute, suitable adjustments may be made in the machine to terminate winding operations before the supply of empty bobbins is exhausted.

The means for terminating the winding operations after any desired number of bobbins has been wound comprises aratchet wheel I08 having a simple form of :friction brake (notshown) for retarding its rotation and a limit switch IIO connected in parallel with the monitor switch I06. The limit switch is normally held in open circuit position, but is actuated by a pin II2 on the ratchet wheel I08 after any desired number of Windingpperations to closed circuit position. To this :end, the ratchet wheel is marked with numerals for indicating the number of winding operations yet to be performed. For rotating the ratchet wheel one step during each winding operation, the wheel is engaged by a pawl H4 having a suitable indicating mark cooperating with the numeral markings of the ratchet wheel, the weight of the pawl holding it against the wheel. The pawl is pivoted to an arm of a lever IIB having a hollow hub through which passes a pivot screw H8 secured in the machine frame, which pivot screw also rotatably supports the ratchet wheel. Another arm of the lever IIE has a pin-and-slot connection with the block 58 on the actuating bar 40. The distance between the teeth on the ratchet wheel is the same or slightly less than the movement imparted to the pawl by the reciprocation of the actuating bar so that during each reciprocation of the bar, the ratchet wheel will be rotated one step only. To set the ratchet wheel, the pawl I I4 is lifted manually and the wheel rotated to bring any desired indicating number in alignment with the marking on the pawl. When the machine is started with the ratchet wheel so adjusted, there will be a corresponding number of bobbins wound before the windingoperations are terminated.

The empty bobbin suppl chute 30 has been indicated for convenience of illustration as having an open upper end within which empty bobbins may be inserted by an operator. Where the number of winding operations is limited by setting the ratchet wheel I08, the empty bobbins preferably are inserted in the chute 38 from a hopper and suitably constructed mechanism is provided for discharging the individual bobbins in proper positions to be received within the chute. Such hopper and discharge mechanisms are well known in the art and are of conventional form. An example of suitable mechanisms for these purposes is disclosed in U. S. Letters Patent to Herr, No. 1,499,925, granted July 1, 1924.

While the invention has been illustrated in a form which operates upon a single bobbin at a time, it obviously would be effective in a ma chine, such as that of inventors copending application above referred to. in which a series of controller actuated by thread on a bobbin while being wound, the combination with mechanism set in operation by the thread controller for removing one wound bobbin from the spindle while withholding another wound bobbin in winding position, and for bringing an empty bobbin into end-to-end relation with the withheld bobbin to enable the thread to be led directly from I the withheld bobbin onto the empty bobbin when a new winding operation is started.

2. In a bobbin winding machine having a rotatable winding spindle for supporting a plurality of bobbins in end-to-end relation and a controller actuated by thread on a bobbin while being wound, the combination with mechanism acting after the bobbins on the spindle are wound with thread to remove the bobbins from the winding spindle but to withhold the bobbin last In this instance, it is desirable to witha wound in winding position and comprising means for bringing an empty bobbin into end-to-end relation with the last wound bobbin to enable the withheld wound and empty bobbins to be received together on the spindle before the succeeding Winding operation is started. I

3. In a bobbin winding machine having a rotatable winding spindle for supporting a plurality of bobbins in end-to-end relation and a contrOller actuated by thread on a bobbin while being wound, the combination with mechanism acting after a plurality of the bobbins on the spindle is wound with thread to remove the bob- :wbins from the spindle but to withhold at least the bobbin'last wound in winding position in the :machinej, and comprising a supply and bobbin feeddevice's'jfor bringinga'n empty-bobbin into adjacent end-to-end relation with the last wound bobbin to enable the spindle to receive wound and empty bobbins before the succeeding winding operation is start.ed

abobb'ihwinding machine having a roiltatable winding spindle, means for clamping a plurality of bobbins on the spindle to cause the bobbins to be rotated with the spindle, and a controller actuated by the thread on a bobbin while bein wound, the combination with mechanism set' in operation by the thread controller for shifting the bobbins lengthwise relatively to the controller to cause an empty bobbin to be brought set in operation by the thread controller for shifting the bobbins lengthwise relatively to the controller to cause an empty bobbinto be brought into alignment with the controller, and connections between the controller and the clamping means to cause a wound bobbin to be released from the clamping means and thereafter to cause the bobbins on the spindle to be reclamped during each cycle of winding operations.

6. In a bobbin winding machine having a rotatable winding spindle, means for clamping a plurality of bobbins on the spindle to cause the bobbins to be rotated with the spindle, and a controller actuated by the thread on a bobbin while being wound, the combination with mechanism set in operation by the thread controller for shifting the bobbins lengthwise relatively to the controller to cause an empty bobbin to be brought into alignment with the controller, a supply of empty bobbins, devices for feeding one bobbin at a time from the supply into a position to be received on the spindle, and connections between the bobbin shifting mechanism and the clamping means for causing a wound bobbin to be released from the spindle and thereafter for causing the bobbins to be reolamped on the spindle and other connections between the bobbin shifting mechanism and the bobbin feeding devices for actuating the feeding devices before the bobbins are reclamped to bring an empty bobbin into alignment with the controller.

7. In a bobbin winding machine having a rotatable and reciprocable spindle for receiving a pair of bobbins and a controller actuated by the thread on a bobbin while being wound, the combination with mechanism set in operation by the thread controller for reciprocating the spindle to withdraw the spindle from both bobbins during one reciprocating stroke, a guide upon which at least one of the bobbins of the pair rests at a position to be received by the spindle during the return stroke, a supply of empty bobbins, and 1 means for feeding an empty bobbin from the supply to the guide during each complete reciprocation of the winding spindle.

8. In a bobbin winding machine having a r0- tatable and reciprocable spindle for receiving a pair of bobbins and a controller actuated by the thread on a bobbin while being wound, the combination with mechanism set in operation'by the thread controller for reciprocating thespindle to withdraw the spindle from bothbobbins during one reciprocating stroke,'a guideupon which at least one of the bobbins ofthe pair rests at a position to be'receive'dby thespindle during the return stroke, a supply of empty bobbins, and means for feeding an empty bobbin froin'the supply to the guide comprising a chute and a pair of'oppositely directed rods in the chute spaced to receive a bobbin between them and connected for'reciprocation with the spindle to cause a bobbin to be fed onto the guide'during each complete reciprocation of the spindle.

9. In a bobbin winding machine having a rotatable and reciprocable spindle for receiving a pair of bobbin and a controller actuated by the thread on a bobbin while being wound, the combination with mechanism set in operation by the thread controller for reciprocating the spindle to withdraw the spindle from both bobbins during one reciprocating stroke, a guide upon which at least one of the bobbins of the Pair rests at a position to be received by the spindle during the return stroke, a supply of empty bobbins, means for feeding an empty bobbin from the supply to the guide during each complete reciprocation of the winding spindle, and a detector on the guide for preventing renewed winding operations upon failure of the feeding means to deposit a bobbin on the guide.

10. In a bobbin winding machine having a rotatable and reciprocable Spindle for receiving a pair of bobbins and a controller actuated by the thread on a bobbin while being wound, the combination with mechanism set in operation by the thread controller forreciprocatingthe spindle to withdraw the spindle from both bobbins during one reciprocating stroke, a guide upon which at least one of the bobbins of the pair rests at a position to be received by the spindle during the return stroke, a supply of empty bobbins, means for feeding an empty bobbin from the supply to the guide during each complete reciprocation of the winding spindle, and a shoulderon the spindle for engaging the bobbins during the return stroke of the spindle and for moving the bobbins lengthwise of the spindle to bring the empty bobbin into alignment with the thread controller.

11. In a bobbin winding machine having a rotatable winding spindle for supporting a plurality of bobbins in end-to-end relation and a controller actuated by thread on a bobbin while being wound, the combination with mechanism set in operation'by the thread controller for reoiprocating the spindle to withdraw the spindle from the bobbins after being wound, a guide upon which at least one of the wound bobbins rests in a position to be received by the spindle when not supported by the spindle, a ,supply of empty bobbins, and a stud towards and from which the spindle reciprocates to engage a bobas es? the bobbins to the spindle.

12. In a bobbin winding machine having a rotatableand reciprocable spindle forreceiving a pair of bobbins and a controller actuated by the thread on a bobbin while being wound, the combination with mechanism set in operation by' the thread controller for reciprocating the spindle to Withdraw the spindle from both" bobbins during one reciprocating stroke, 'a guide upon which at least one of the bobbins of the pair rests ata position to be received by the spindle during the return stroke, a supply of empty bobbins, means'ior feeding an empty bobbin from the supply to the guide during each complete'reciprocation of the winding spindle, a shoulder on the spindle for engaging the bobbins during the return stroke of the spindle and for moving the bobbins lengthwise of the spindle to bring the empty bobbin into alignment with the thread the thread controller for reciprocating the spindle to withdraw the spindle from both bobbins during one reciprocating stroke, a guide upon which at least one of the bobbins of the pair rests at a" position to be received by the spindle during the return stroke, a supply of empty bobbins, means for feeding an empty bobbin from the supply to the guide during each complete reciprocation of the winding spindle, a shoulder on the spindle for engaging the bobbins during the return stroke of the spindle and for moving the bob-bins lengthwise of the spindle t2 bring the empty bobbin into alignment with the 'thread controller, and meansfor retaining the last wound bobbin of the pair on the guide after the spindle has been withdrawn to prevent the last woundbobbin from being released from the guide.

14. In a bobbin winding machine having a rotatable and reciprocable spindle for receiving a pair of bobbins and a controller actuated by the thread on a bobbin while being wound, the combination with mechanism set in' operation by the thread controller for reciprocating the spindle to withdraw the spindle from both bobbins during one reciprocating stroke,' a guide upon which at least one of the bobbins of the pair rests at a position to be received by the spindle during the return stroke, a supply of empty bobbins, means for feeding an empty bobbin from the supply to the guide during each complete reciprocation of the winding spindle, a shoulder on the spindle for engaging the bobbins during the return stroke of the spindle and for moving the bobbins lengthwise of the spindle to bring the empty bobbin into alignment with the thread controller, and an arm yieldingly connected to the thread controller and arranged to retain the last wound bobbin of the pair on the guidewhen the winding spindle is withdrawn.

15. In a continuously operating bobbin winding machine having a rotatable and reciprocable spindle for receiving 'a pair of bobbins, a controller actuated by the thread on a bobbin while being wound, and'mechanism for lifting the controller from between the flanges of a bobbin being wound before the bobbin is entirely filled with thread, the combination with mechanism for'withdrawing the spindle from both bobbins when wound with thread, a guide upon which at least one of the bobbins of the pair rests when the spindle is withdrawn at a position to be receivedon the spindle, a supply of empty bobbins, means for feeding an empty bobbin from the supply to the guide, and a bobbin retaining arm yieldingly' connected to the thread controller and arranged to be actuated against the controller, an arm actuated yielding'ly during last wound bobbin of the pair on the guide when the mechanism for lifting the thread controller from between the flanges on the bobbin being wound is operated.

16. Ina bobbin winding machine having a rotatable winding spindle for supporting a plurality of bobbins in end-to-end relation and a controller actuated by thread on a bobbin while being wound, the combination with mechanism for reciprocatingthe spindle comprising an electromagnet for shifting the spindle in a direction to cause a wound bobbin to be released and in the other direction to cause an empty bobbin to be received on the spindle, and a switch actuated by the thread controller after being moved to a predetermined position by an increasing supply of thread on a bobbin being wound to cause the electromagne't to be energized.

17. In a bobbin winding machine having a rotatable winding spindle for supporting a plurality of bobbins in end-to-end relation and a controller actuated by thread on a bobbin while being wound,the combination with mechanism for reciprocating the spindle comprising means for shifting the spindle in a direction to release a wound bobbin when the thread controller is moved to a predetermined position by an increasing supply of thread on a bobbin being wound, and a. detector rendered operative by the presence of anempty bobbin to cause said mechanism to shift the spindle in the other direction.

18. In a bobbin winding machine having a rotatable winding spindleior supporting a plurality of bobbins inend-to-end relation and a, controller actuated by thread on a bobbin while being wound, the combination with mechanism for reciprocating the spindle comprising an electromagnetfor shifting the spindle lengthwise in one direction when energizedto' cause a wound bobbin to be, released and when de-energized in the other direction to cause an empty bobbin to be received on the spindle, a switch acted upon by the thread controller after being moved to a predetermined position by an increasin supply of thread on a bobbin being wound'to cause the table winding spindle for supporting a plurality of bobbins in end-to-end relation and a controller actuated by thread on a bobbin while being wound, the combination with mechanism for reciprocating the spindle to shift the spindle lengthwise in one direction to cause a bobbin to be released and in the other direction to cause an empty bobbin to be received on the spindle comprising an electromagnet acting when energized to shift the spindle in one direction and when deenergized to shift the spindle in the other direction, a switch acted upon by the thread controller after being moved to a predetermined position to cause the electromagnet to be energized, and a detector switch acted upon by an empty bobbin at a position to be received on the spindle for causing the electromagnet to be de-energized.

20. In a bobbin winding machine having a, rotatable winding spindle for supporting a plurality of bobbins in end-to-end relation and a controller actuated by thread on a bobbin while being wound, the combination with mechanism for reciprocating the spindle to shift the spindle lengthwise in one direction and in the other direction to cause an empty bobbin to be received on the spindle comprising an electromagnet for causing the spindle to be shifted in the firstmentioned direction, a yielding member for causing the spindle to be shifted in the second-mentioned direction, a switch acted upon by the thread controller after being moved to a predetermined position by an increasing supply of thread on a bobbin being wound to cause the electromagnet to be energized, and a detector switch acted upon by an empty bobbin at a position to be received on the spindle for causing the electromagnet to be de-energized.

21. In a bobbin winding machine having a rotatable winding spindle for supporting a plurality of bobbins in end-to-end relation and a controller actuated by thread on a bobbin while being wound, the combination with mechanism for reciprocating the spindle lengthwise to shift the spindle in one direction to release a wound bobbin when the thread controller is moved to a pre-- determined position by an increasing suppl of thread on a bobbin being wound, a supply of empty bobbins, a detector rendered operative by the presence of an empt bobbin in a, position to be received on the spindle when shifted in the opposite direction, and means for preventing lengthwise reciprocation f the spindle when the supply of empty bobbins becomes exhausted.

22. In a bobbin winding machine having a rotatable winding spindle for supporting a plurality of bobbins in end-to-end relation and a controller actuated by thread on a bobbin while being wound, the combination with mechanism for reciprocating the spindle lengthwise comprising an electromagnet acting when energized to shift the spindle in a direction to release a wound bobbin,

a switch acted upon by the thread controller after being moved to a predetermined position by an increasing supply of thread on a bobbin being wound to cause the electromagnet to be energized, a supply of empty bobbins, a detector switch rendered operative by the presence of an empty bobbin in a position to be received on the spindle to de-energize the electromagnet, and a monitor switch for preventing the electromagnet from being de-energized when the supply of empty bobbins becomes exhausted.

23. In a bobbin winding machine having a rotatable winding spindle for supporting a plurality of bobbins in end-to-end relation and a control ler actuated by thread on a bobbin while being wound, the combination with mechanism for reciprocating the spindle lengthwise in one direction to release a wound bobbin when the thread controller is moved to a predetermined position' by an increasing supply of thread on a bobbin being wound, a supply of empty bobbins, a detector rendered operative by the presence of an empty bobbin in a position to be rece1ved by the spindle to cause the spindle to be shifted in the other direction, and means for preventing reciprocation of the spindle after a predetermined number of bobbins have been wound.

24. In a bobbin winding machine having a rotatable winding spindle for supporting a plurality of bobbins in end-to-end relation and a controller actuated by thread on a bobbin while being wound, the combination with mechanism for reciprocating the spindle lengthwise in one direction to release a wound bobbin when the thread controller is moved to a predetermined position by an increasing supply of thread on a bobbin being wound, a supply of empty bobbins, a deteccontroller actuated by. thread on a bobbin while being wound, the combination with mechanism for reciprocating the spindle lengthwise comprising an electromagnet acting when energized to shift the spindle in a direction to release a wound bobbin, a switch actuated by the thread controller when moved to a predetermined position by an increasing supply of thread on a bobbin being wound to energize the electromagnet, a supply of empty bobbins, a detector switch rendered operative by the presence of an empty bobbin in a position to be received by the spindle to de-energize the electromagnet, a ratchet actuated by the spindle reciprocating mechanism, and a limit switch actuated by the ratchet for preventing de-energization of the electromagnet after a predetermined number of bobbins have been wound.

26. In a bobbin winding machine having a rotatable winding spindle for supporting a plurality of bobbins in end-to-end relation and a controller actuated by thread on a boblflnwhile being wound, the combination with mechanism set in operation by the thread controller for removing one wound bobbin from the spindle while withholding another wound bobbin in winding position, and bringing an empty bobbin into endto-end relation with the withheld bobbin to enable the thread to be led directly from the with-.

held bobbin onto the empty bobbin when a new winding operation is started, and a thread cutter acting between bobbins to sever the thread during winding operations on one of said bobbins and before the other is released.

27. In a bobbin winding machine having a r tatable winding spindle, means for clamping a plurality of bobbins on the spindle to cause the bobbins to be rotated with the spindle, and a controller actuated by the thread on abobbin while being wound, the combination with mechanism set in operation by the thread controller for shifting the bobbins lengthwise relatively to the controller to cause an empty bobbin to be brought into alignment with the controller and to release a wound bobbin from the clamping means during each cycle of winding operations, and means operatively connected to theclamping means to loosen a wound bobbin lrom the spindle after being released by theclamping means.

PAUL W. SENF'LEBEN.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,5bB,857. I May '16, 19bi PAUL w. SENFLEBEN.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above, numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, first column, line 11, for "sripper" read --stripper-; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 15th day of Auust, A. D. 191 1;.

- Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

